William Hill Shop Sign which Killed Man was 'a Good Fix'
William Hill store indication which eliminated man was 'an excellent repair'
8 October 2018
A worker who installed a 31 stone (200kg) indication above a bookmakers which fell and squashed a man has informed a court it was "a good fix" when he put it up.
Jacob Marx had been working in London for four months when he was squashed by the indication outside a William Hill bookies on 28 January 2013.
Carlos Park informed Blackfriars Crown Court the fascia he attached the sign to had actually been "solid".
William Hill Organisation Ltd rejects breaching health and safety.
New Zealand nationwide Mr Marx, 27, suffered a damaged neck and a fractured skull after the sign fell 2m on to him outside the bookies in Camden Road.
The court heard Mr Park was working for Saltwell Signs when he fitted the sign in 2006.
He told the jury he had actually got a "excellent fix" to the plywood fascia when screwing it up.
"The fascia was solid. I can tell when I am taking the screws out (of the old indication)," he stated.
Mr Park stated he performed a visual inspection of the plywood "to see there is not any rot" however added that the fascia "needs to be fit for purpose when I show up."
Former Saltwell's factory supervisor Terrance English informed the court the indication fitter was not accountable for examining the building's structure.
When asked by John Cooper, defending William Hill, if the fitter had no responsibility for the structure listed below he said: "Yes, just the fascia, not the structure itself."
William Hill Organisation Ltd denies one count of failing to ensure the safety of non-employees and one count of stopping working to ensure the security of staff members.
The trial continues.
Man eliminated by 'dangerously insecure' sign
28 September 2018
William Hill store indication which eliminated man was 'an excellent repair'
8 October 2018
A worker who installed a 31 stone (200kg) indication above a bookmakers which fell and squashed a man has informed a court it was "a good fix" when he put it up.
Jacob Marx had been working in London for four months when he was squashed by the indication outside a William Hill bookies on 28 January 2013.
Carlos Park informed Blackfriars Crown Court the fascia he attached the sign to had actually been "solid".
William Hill Organisation Ltd rejects breaching health and safety.
New Zealand nationwide Mr Marx, 27, suffered a damaged neck and a fractured skull after the sign fell 2m on to him outside the bookies in Camden Road.
The court heard Mr Park was working for Saltwell Signs when he fitted the sign in 2006.
He told the jury he had actually got a "excellent fix" to the plywood fascia when screwing it up.
"The fascia was solid. I can tell when I am taking the screws out (of the old indication)," he stated.
Mr Park stated he performed a visual inspection of the plywood "to see there is not any rot" however added that the fascia "needs to be fit for purpose when I show up."
Former Saltwell's factory supervisor Terrance English informed the court the indication fitter was not accountable for examining the building's structure.
When asked by John Cooper, defending William Hill, if the fitter had no responsibility for the structure listed below he said: "Yes, just the fascia, not the structure itself."
William Hill Organisation Ltd denies one count of failing to ensure the safety of non-employees and one count of stopping working to ensure the security of staff members.
The trial continues.
Man eliminated by 'dangerously insecure' sign
28 September 2018